By Rotimi Odofin
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has restated his administration’s commitment to positively impact on the lives of the people of the state saying “in Kogi State, what we do is to touch lives positively and that is what we are known for”.
The governor who stated this during the graduation ceremony of 19 graduands in fashion design, trained by the Pharmacist Abdulkareem Asuku Youth Empowerment Foundation, from the 21 local government areas of the state, also donated N500,000 naira to each of the graduands as take off grant.
Bello thanked the founder of the foundation for touching the lives of people both within and outside the state and Charged him to continue to touch lives and be an ambassador of the New Direction Government.
Bello also challenged his aides not to just be in government for themselves. “Don’t be in government only to fill your pocket, be there to impact people and empower others.
Bello said it is for them to go back to their Local Government and replicate the empowerment by starting strong from the Grassroot. He charged the beneficiaries empower people who will add value to the society.
Being the 5th Edition in the series, the Lead Instructor and CEO of THE-YEM FASHION, Mrs Opeyemi Bamijoko Alonge said that the programme have been running for three years and four sets of trainees have been graduated before now.
Alonge added that Clothing Materials, Starter Pack, Accommodation and feeding have been provided for the beneficiaries.
In Her Welcome address, the Focal Person and SSA to the Governor, Hon. Mimi Sandra Musa thanked the founder of the Foundation and Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor, Pharm. Abdulkareem Asuku for Identifying with the female Youths and putting smiles on their face.
Sandra described the gesture of Pharm. Asuku as following the footsteps of Governor Yahaya Bello in the area of Youth Empowerment and Human Development.
Sandra appreciated sponsors both within and outside the Government who have been supporting the foundation with their resources when the need arises.
Speaking also, Kogi Education commissioner, Wemi Jones charged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the training and empowerment to position themselves among top entrepreneurs in Nigeria.
Hon. Jones described the Governor as a man who thinks about the next generation unlike other politicians that thinks about the next election.
While delivering his speech, the founder and Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor, Pharm. Abdulkareem Asuku thanked the Governor for the privilege given to him to add value to humanity.
He encouraged the beneficiaries to always emulate the lifestyle of the governor by extending the hands of goodness to their neighbors.
Asuku said “the only way you can give hope to the people is by empowering them. Teach them how to catch fish and don’t give them fish”.
Asuku revealed that the beneficiaries were randomly selected and he had no connection or relationship with any of them before now.
He added that haven know the place of women in the society, he decided to start with the Ladies and has decided that the Fashion Industry being a lucrative one should be their focus.
Asuku said that 21 of them started but 19 of them are graduating today.
He added that apart from the Sewing Machines and other clothing materials, a start up Capital of N100,000 and an additional transport allowance of 10, 000 will be given to the beneficiaries.
